MEET OUR VOLUNTEERS!

Alison Harte has over 25 years of experience in affordable housing and supportive services for vulnerable adults and families. She moved to Burlington 11 years ago from Brooklyn, NY with her husband and three children. She has volunteered for HBT for the last two years and is excited to have even greater involvement with the project this year!

​

Kristen received her MSW in 2007. At her first job she worked in a residential program with women and children who were impacted by the criminal justice system and who often struggled with addiction and mental health issues. Although she no longer works with this program, she feels a strong connection to this population. During the holiday season of 2020 she began making and selling decorative wreaths, donating all proceeds to Hope Beneath the Tree.  In early 2021, Copper & Birch was born and Kristen’s hobby turned into a small business. Kristen joined the HBT volunteer team in 2022  and continues to donate 20% of its earnings from wreaths sold during the holidays. She is currently working on a children's book about giving inspired by her 2 children and husband and wreath making venture!

​

Kathleen Laramee has called Vermont home for the last 26 years. As a mother of two Burlington teens she can’t imagine a better community for her family to be a part of. She spent the bulk of her professional career in communications and fundraising for the University of Vermont and has now happily moved on to her volunteer career! She is thrilled to be helping out with HBT for the first time this year and looking forward to supporting kids impacted by the justice system this holiday season.

​